Skeleton & Openworked Watches · Page 3

Introducing: De Bethune DB25Vxs Silver Moon And DB28xs Dark Sand

What We Know While not at Watches and Wonders this year, De Bethune was one of a number of brands jumping on the release bandwagon this week with a few new versions. Today, we're taking a look at two new pieces from the brand. De Bethune's DB25Vxs Silver Moon keeps some of the brand's futuristic design with the skeletonized lugs, while DB28xs Dark Sand picks up where the brand's DB28xs "Steel Wheels" left off. Let's start with the slightly more traditional watch first. The DB25Vxs Silver Moon trims the DB25L case size down to 40mm and changes the dial around a bit. It's been 17 years since the DB25L came out, so it was time for an update. The watch features a mirrored blued-titanium surround with gold stars, drawing the eye to the mirror-polished steel and blued-titanium spherical moonphase at 12 o'clock, which is accurate to 1 day every 122 years. The domed outer track features printed, slightly dressy Breguet numerals and a minute track for the gold hour and minute hands (in Breguet style as well) while the central dial features a barleycorn guilloché. Inside the 40.6mm by 11.2mm mirror-polished grade 5 titanium case is a caliber running at 4Hz with a 6-day power reserve. While a lot of my friends gravitate more toward that traditional aesthetic from De Bethune, my eyes immediately go for the more extreme De Bethunes, like the DB28xs Dark Sand, with the hinged lugs and (yes, somewhat divisive) arch design on the front. The DB28xs Dark Sand also has a 6-day power reserve...

Introducing - H. Moser & Cie Endeavour Minute Repeater Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton

H. Moser & Cie. fearlessly takes two of its most prestigious complications, strips away all superfluous elements, and reveals them up front in the Endeavour Minute Repeater Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton. Exposing its dial-side minute repeater and cylindrical hairspring flying tourbillon in a fully skeletonised form, Moser ascends to new heights on the complications ladder. Launched […]

Franck Muller reimagines one of its defining Complications with the Vanguard Aero Revolution 3 Skeleton

Watches & Wonders: Hands-On Impressions of Two New Zenith G.F.J. Novelties

Why is it that there are some watches we just kind of forget about? I think we’ve all experienced this right? We encounter a watch that really works, feels special, rave about to other collectors and, if you’re able, maybe even think about how you might acquire one (side note: that is definitely not the situation I find myself in with respect to the watches we’ll be discussing here).  For whatever reason, the Zenith G.F.J. found itself in that category for me. Last year, when I saw the first G.F.J., I think I probably verbalized to someone that it was the best thing I saw at Watches & Wonders 2025. I thought about it for weeks. I considered how it felt so much more handmade and specialized than any of the other new Zenith watches I’ve seen, which were mostly reminders that Zenith is a huge brand that needs to cast a wide net. And that’s the case again this year. The headline release for the brand this year is a new series of Chronomaster Sport references with skeleton dials. They are very nice watches, but tread familiar ground. We’ve seen countless iterations of the Chronomaster Sport at this point, and transitioning to skeleton dials after a period of time is part of the Zenith playbook.  The G.F.J. collection, by contrast, feels unpredictable and outside the bounds of the usual Zenith strategy. These are high end watches that take advantage of exotic materials and precious metals, and have more in common with many haute horlogerie indies, at least on the s...

Live from WWG26: new releases from Hermes

DEPLOYANT - The watch magazine for collectors, by collectors We are next at Hermès, and here are our highlights from their novelties for WWG26, with our hands-on remarks. Each year, Hermès introduces what they call mysterious mechanisms. This year, they focus on the theme of puppetry the H08 Squelette. The first time a skeleton dial and movement is fitted on the now iconic H08 [...] The post Live from WWG26: new releases from Hermes appeared first on DEPLOYANT.

Introducing - Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Hybris Mechanica Ultra Thin Minute Repeater

When it was unveiled in 2014, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Calibre 362 stunned the horological world as the slimmest automatic minute repeater with a tourbillon regulator. For 2026, Jaeger revisits its high-complication masterpiece with the new Master Hybris Mechanica Ultra Thin Minute Repeater, a ten-piece limited edition with an openworked dial reaffirming the Maison’s dominance in chiming mechanisms, […]

Introducing - Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date

Jaeger-LeCoultre revisits one of its most important contemporary tourbillon movements with the new Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date. While the underlying Calibre 978 is familiar to collectors, the latest iteration restructures the movement’s architecture. Featuring a partially openworked dial, the tourbillon, signature jumping date mechanism, and 24-hour display come to the fore. Paying homage […]

Introducing - The New Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Moonphase Impact

The Spirit of Big Bang collection was introduced as Hublot’s first major new case shape under Jean-Claude Biver. As its name suggests, the collection captured the “spirit” of the Big Bang but replaced the octagonal case with a more complex tonneau-shaped case with lateral rubber bumpers and openworked dials. The latest Spirit of Big Bang […]

Zenith debuts a new Chronomaster Sport Skeleton range with a quiet yet major update

The Zenith Chronomaster Sport has had quite a journey since it launched in 2021. What started as a single stainless steel reference with a black ceramic bezel - and yes, we know what watch that immediately reminded people of - has since grown into one of the more expansive and genuinely adventurous collections in the … ContinuedThe post Zenith debuts a new Chronomaster Sport Skeleton range with a quiet yet major update appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Watches & Wonders: A Quick Rundown of the New Hublot Big Bangs

Hublot has never trafficked in subtlety. The Big Bang chronograph first made its presence known with a 44mm size, hefty ceramic bezel with contrasting screws, and a rare combination of rose gold and rubber, which contrasted different textures with clashing case finishes. So what if it had an ETA movement-which, at the time, seemed more plebeian than the in-house movements of rival luxury chronographs? In that maximalist, McBling era, the stance and the presence were all that mattered.  Hublot has only taken its flagship model to more audacious heights. At this year’s Watches & Wonders Geneva, the Big Bang Reloaded enters the collection, following the 20-year anniversary of the Big Bang, by combining the intricate case with Hublot’s in-house chronograph movement, the Unico calibre, bringing together all the things that Big Bang enthusiasts love.  The Reloaded exemplifies Hublot’s adherence to high-tech materials: available in titanium, scratch-resistant 18-karat “Magic Gold,” and three options of ceramic: black, blue, and dark green. The strap, still in textured rubber, matches the case colors.    Hublot introduced its Unico calibre in 2010, and now the HUB 1280 UNICO makes an appearance from behind a skeletonized and multi-layered dial: redesigned to match the stencil-style numbers, a date window at between 4 and 5 o’clock, and horizontally-placed chronograph registers. It’s an automatic flyback chronograph, with 43 jewels and a power reserve of 72 hour...

First Look - The New Cartier Privé Crash Skeleton in Platinum

The iconic distorted profile of the Cartier Crash returns in 2026 as part of a trio of emblematic shaped watches in the Cartier Privé – Les Opus annual capsule. Cartier has selected the Tank Normale, the Tortue Chronographe Monopoussoir, and the Crash Squelette as candidates for its 10th Opus, all revisited in platinum cases, a […]

Introducing: The Hublot Big Bang Reloaded - A Reworked Take On The Unico Chronograph

The Big Bang Reloaded marks the next step in Hublot’s ongoing refinement of its flagship chronograph. Rather than a clean-sheet design, this new collection for Watches and Wonders 2026 revisits the openworked Big Bang Unico and re-engineers it from the inside out. This release feels like a logical follow-up to the earlier Big Bang models […] Visit Introducing: The Hublot Big Bang Reloaded - A Reworked Take On The Unico Chronograph to read the full article.

Watches & Wonders: Hermes Doubles Down on the H08 with the Addition of a Skeletonized “Squelette” Version

I vividly remember when Hermes first launched the H08 five years ago. It marked yet another moment of the brand solidifying its place beyond its roots in fashion and firmly into the horological landscape. Prior to the H08, we had seen more classic, refined, and dare I say quintessentially Hermes collections from the Maison like the Kelly, inspired by the padlock from the famous handbag; the Arceau, drawing from the iconic horse motif; and the Cape Cod, a traditional rectangular design. In 2012, Hermes had a defining moment for its watches with the debut of its first in-house caliber. Still, the H08 marked a new moment of the brand doing something markedly different – decidedly modern and yet distinctly Hermes.   In the years since its initial introduction, the H08 has continued to be a success and as such, the Maison has doubled down on the collection, following up with a slew of iterations on the original H08 lineup, which was pretty impressive in its own right, consisting of five variations. We have seen the addition of complications like a chronograph, new sizes ranging from the original 39mm up to 45mm, as well as new styles and colors. Today, at this year’s Watches and Wonders, Hermes offers up the next evolution with the H08 Squelette, the Maison’s interpretation of a skeletonized model. We have seen this openworked style in the brand’s other staple collections, like the Arceau and the Slim d’Hermes, so this seems like a natural next step for the H08 line....

First Look - Zenith’s High-Beat Heart Exposed on the New Chronomaster Sport Skeleton

When Zenith unveiled the Chronomaster Sport in 2021, the message was clear: the El Primero was entering a new, sportier chapter rather than living off 1969 nostalgia. Exploiting the full potential of the calibre 3600’s 5Hz frequency, the 1/10th-of-a-second readings put the Chronomaster Sport luxury sports watch in a class of its own. The latest […]

First Look - Design Meets Horology, with the New Hermès H08 Skeleton (incl. Video)

When Hermès introduced the H08 back in 2021, it was met with rave reviews for its playful flair. The shapes, the colours, the materials… it all worked together perfectly. The French luxury goods house is known for its sophisticated eye for design, and it showed with the H08. It was refreshing and intriguing, thanks to […]

Introducing: The Hermès H08 Squelette (Live Pics)

A new skeletonized take on the brand's casual sports watch.

A Hands-On Introduction To The First Skeletonized Hermès H08 With A Brand-New Titanium Movement

This year, Hermès is celebrating the fifth birthday of its H08. It already feels like the maison’s sporty watch, with its characteristic geometric shape, has become a real staple in the collection. But there’s more reason to celebrate, as it’s also been 20 years since Hermès acquired a 25% stake in the Swiss high-end movement […] Visit A Hands-On Introduction To The First Skeletonized Hermès H08 With A Brand-New Titanium Movement to read the full article.

Introducing - The Patek Philippe Cubitus Perpetual Calendar 5840P

On the occasion of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026, Patek Philippe keeps expanding its Cubitus collection with its first grand complication, a perpetual calendar. Presented in a 45mm platinum case, the model stands out with its openwork design and rectangular movement. The Patek Philippe Cubitus Collection was unveiled in October 2024. Marking the brand’s first […]

Patek Philippe Introduces The Cubitus Perpetual Calendar Skeleton Ref. 5840P-001

With the introduction of the Cubitus collection in late 2024, Patek Philippe established a new design language built around a square case with rounded corners and an integrated, sporty-leaning aesthetic. The initial trio of large-format references focused on time-and-date functionality. Then, smaller models in precious metals arrived in 2025. At Watches and Wonders 2026, the […] Visit Patek Philippe Introduces The Cubitus Perpetual Calendar Skeleton Ref. 5840P-001 to read the full article.

Cartier Privé Les Opus is a Trio of Greatest Hits

Cartier’s crowd favourite Privé line is now 10 years old and the jeweller is returning to its greatest hits for the occasion with two offerings, the first being the flagship Cartier Privé Les Opus. “Opus” is a trio of watches, all in platinum, each being of the most desirable models in the Privé collection – Tank Normale, Tortue Chronographe Monopoussoir, and Crash Squelette. Both the Tank Normale and Tortue Monopoussoir are variants of earlier models, retaining the same case and movement as before, but now with silvered dials featuring red markings. The Crash skeleton, on the other hand, is a new model powered by a new calibre, the 1967 MC, a hand-wind movement with hand hammered bridges. The Crash skeleton is limited to 150 pieces, while the other two models are regular production The second anniversary trio is Cartier Privé La Collection, yet another trio of greatest hits, but in yellow gold and not limited edition, which we’ll detail in another story. Cartier Privé La Collection made up of the Tank Cintree, Tank Normale, and Cloche Initial thoughts It is now a given that Cartier will mine its rich archive for new launches and Les Opus is exactly that. Given the strength of Cartier’s iconic designs, all three watches in the collection are appealing, with the Crash being a little more novel than its siblings in the line-up thanks to its skeleton movement. None of the three watches win any awards for imagination or innovation, but that is arguably besides...

Introducing: The Zenith Chronomaster Sport Two-Tone And A New Skeleton Collection With An Updated Clasp

For 2026, Zenith celebrates five years of one of its defining modern watches. Since its 2021 debut, the Chronomaster Sport has pushed the El Primero automatic chronograph into a new era. Its contemporary, sporty design has also made it a perfect platform for experimentation. This year, Zenith leans into that potential with its most avant-garde […] Visit Introducing: The Zenith Chronomaster Sport Two-Tone And A New Skeleton Collection With An Updated Clasp to read the full article.

TAG Heuer Rethinks the Chronograph

Sure to be among the most talked-about releases of Watches & Wonders, TAG Heuer has just unveiled the Monaco Evergraph. The openworked Monaco marks the debut of the calibre TH-80, one of the most advanced chronograph movements on the market. The Evergraph’s movement is notable for several reasons, but the most surprising is the use of an innovative compliant structure to simplify the chronograph mechanisms. Initial thoughts Beginning with the relaunch of the TH-Carbonspring last year, TAG Heuer has been on something of a road to redemption. Not long ago it seemed like the brand’s brightest days might be behind it, but the Evergraph provides further evidence that TAG Heuer has been retooling to become a new leader in technical innovation. The famous Breitling-Heuer-Buren Calibre 11 - one of the first automatic chronograph movements to hit the market back in 1969 - debuted in a Monaco, and so it’s fitting that the new TH-80 movement is first glimpsed through the transparent dial of the Monaco Evergraph. In more ways than one, the Evergraph pays proper hommage to original Heuer Monaco while remaining decidedly future-oriented.  It is also great to see the TH-Carbonspring literally front and centre on the dial side, proof that TAG Heuer is finally delivering on the promise of carbon hairspring industrialisation.  Even before digressing into the distinctive mechanics of the new cal. TH80-00, any chronograph aficionado will greatly appreciate the particular crown and...

Watches & Wonders: Zenith Expands the Chronomaster Sport Line with New Skeleton References, Plus a Two-Tone Version with MOP Dial, and a New Micro-Adjustable Clasp

Zenith has released five new references under the Chronomaster Sport umbrella, most notably with four skeletonized versions of the design, as well as a dressier two-tone option. To understand the new skeletonized editions, it’s probably best to start at the beginning. When Zenith introduced the El Primero in 1969, it launched what is widely regarded as the world’s first automatic, integrated high-frequency chronograph caliber, a movement that has remained central to the brand’s identity ever since. The Chronomaster collection has long carried that legacy forward, and with this new series of skeletonized watches, Zenith brings that movement further to the forefront. All of the skeleton models run on the El Primero 3600SK, the openworked version of Zenith’s high-frequency automatic chronograph. Like the standard El Primero 3600, it beats at 5 Hz, which allows the central chronograph hand to complete one full rotation every 10 seconds and display 1/10th of a second directly off the bezel. The movement also offers a 60-hour power reserve, while the open dial and caseback give a clear view of the column wheel, horizontal clutch, and star-shaped rotor. All come in the now familiar 41mm Chronomaster Sport case. In regards to the design of the Chronomaster Sport Skeleton models, the biggest visual shift comes from the opened-up dial. The collection includes two stainless steel versions: one with a black ceramic bezel and the signature grey, anthracite, and blue tri-color c...

Introducing: The Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon Skeleton

Vacheron Constantin’s Les Cabinotiers workshop is its skunkworks division devoted to the most exclusive single-piece editions. Each watch is a special commission by connoisseurs seeking one-of-a-kind timepieces to express their unique artistic vision. Les Cabinotiers dates to the 18th century, when master watchmakers, known as cabinotiers, worked in the brighter top floors of Genevan workshops. […] Visit Introducing: The Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon Skeleton to read the full article.